Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and provides a communication method and apparatus. The method comprises: on the basis of first information, determining predicted channel quality of a wireless channel; on the basis of the predicted channel quality, determining a target voice code rate of a voice call established between a network device and a terminal device; and sending the target voice code rate to the terminal device. The solution of the present application can reduce a bit error rate under the condition that the channel quality of a wireless channel is reduced, thereby improving the quality of a voice call.

Description

Communication method and device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office of China on March 26, 2024, with application number 2024103545210 and application name “Communication Method and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device. Background Art

[0003] In a wireless communication system, a terminal device can establish a voice call based on a wireless channel with a network device.

[0004] In voice calls, the vocoding rate is a key factor affecting call quality. Currently, the vocoding rate is typically determined based on the quality of the wireless channel when the terminal device initially establishes the call. However, the channel quality between the terminal device and network equipment changes dynamically. For example, in satellite communications, the quality of the wireless channel varies as the satellite's coverage area changes. If channel quality deteriorates, the aforementioned method of determining the vocoding rate can lead to an increase in the bit error rate (BER) and a decrease in call quality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present application provides a communication method and device to solve the above technical problems.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, comprising:

[0007] determining a predicted channel quality of the wireless channel based on the first information;

[0008] determining a target vocoding rate for a voice call established between the network device and the terminal device based on the predicted channel quality;

[0009] The target vocoding rate is sent to the terminal device.

[0010] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0011] attribute information of the terminal device;

[0012] Status information of the voice call; or

[0013] Satellite information.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the attribute information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0015] The identifier of the terminal device; or

[0016] The location information of the terminal device.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the voice call status information includes at least one of the following:

[0018] Time information of the voice call;

[0019] The current vocoding rate of the voice call;

[0020] The current bit error rate of the voice call; or

[0021] Channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the satellite information includes at least one of the following:

[0023] ephemeris information;

[0024] Satellite type;

[0025] The satellite's speed; or

[0026] The satellite's operating altitude.

[0027] In a possible implementation, determining a target vocoding rate for a voice call established between the network device and the terminal device based on the predicted channel quality includes:

[0028] The target vocoding rate is determined according to the predicted channel quality and a mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate.

[0029] In a possible implementation, determining the target vocoding rate according to the predicted channel quality and a mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate includes:

[0030] determining a target channel quality based on the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality of the wireless channel;

[0031] The vocoding rate corresponding to the target channel quality in the mapping relationship is determined as the target vocoding rate.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the target channel quality satisfies at least one of the following:

[0033] The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to a preset signal reception quality threshold;

[0034] The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal reception quality corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal reception quality corresponding to the predicted channel quality;

[0035] The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to a preset signal-to-noise ratio threshold;

[0036] The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the predicted channel quality; or

[0037] The target channel quality indicates that there is obstruction in the wireless link between the network device and the terminal device.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and determining the target vocoding rate based on the predicted channel quality and a mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate includes:

[0039] The first network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate;

[0040] or;

[0041] The second network element receives the indication information sent by the first network element, where the indication information includes the mapping relationship; and the second network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the indication information further includes an identifier of the terminal device, and sending the target vocoding rate to the terminal device includes:

[0043] The target vocoding rate is sent to the terminal device according to the identifier of the terminal device.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the mapping relationship is determined based on statistical information of at least one reference voice call.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the statistical information includes at least one of the following:

[0046] Reference terminal device identification;

[0047] location information of the reference terminal device;

[0048] The vocoding rate of the reference voice call;

[0049] the bit error rate of the reference voice call;

[0050] Time information of the reference voice call; or

[0051] Satellite information.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0053] Receive the first information sent by the terminal device.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and the method further includes:

[0055] The first network element receives the first information sent by the second network element.

[0056] In a second aspect, the present application provides a communication method, comprising:

[0057] receiving a target vocoding rate sent by a network device, where the target vocoding rate is determined based on a predicted channel quality of a wireless channel, where the predicted channel quality is determined based on the first information;

[0058] The current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device is updated to the target vocoding rate.

[0059] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0060] attribute information of the terminal device;

[0061] Status information of the voice call; or

[0062] Satellite information.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the attribute information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0064] The identifier of the terminal device; or

[0065] The location information of the terminal device.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the voice call status information includes at least one of the following:

[0067] Time information of the voice call;

[0068] The current vocoding rate of the voice call;

[0069] The current bit error rate of the voice call; or

[0070] Channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

[0071] In a possible implementation, the satellite information includes at least one of the following:

[0072] ephemeris information;

[0073] Satellite type;

[0074] The satellite's speed; or

[0075] The satellite's operating altitude.

[0076] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0077] The first information is sent to the network device.

[0078] In a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising:

[0079] a determination module, configured to determine a predicted channel quality of the wireless channel based on the first information;

[0080] a processing module, configured to determine a target vocoding rate for a voice call established between the network device and the terminal device based on the predicted channel quality;

[0081] A sending module is used to send the target voice bit rate to the terminal device.

[0082] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0083] attribute information of the terminal device;

[0084] Status information of the voice call; or

[0085] Satellite information.

[0086] In a possible implementation, the attribute information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0087] The identifier of the terminal device; or

[0088] The location information of the terminal device.

[0089] In a possible implementation, the voice call status information includes at least one of the following:

[0090] Time information of the voice call;

[0091] The current vocoding rate of the voice call;

[0092] The current bit error rate of the voice call; or

[0093] Channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the satellite information includes at least one of the following:

[0095] ephemeris information;

[0096] Satellite type;

[0097] The satellite's speed; or

[0098] The satellite's operating altitude.

[0099] In a possible implementation, the processing module is specifically configured to:

[0100] The target vocoding rate is determined according to the predicted channel quality and a mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate.

[0101] In a possible implementation, the processing module is specifically configured to:

[0102] determining a target channel quality based on the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality of the wireless channel;

[0103] The vocoding rate corresponding to the target channel quality in the mapping relationship is determined as the target vocoding rate.

[0104] In one possible implementation, the target channel quality satisfies at least one of the following:

[0105] The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to a preset signal reception quality threshold;

[0106] The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal reception quality corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal reception quality corresponding to the predicted channel quality;

[0107] The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to a preset signal-to-noise ratio threshold;

[0108] The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the predicted channel quality; or

[0109] The target channel quality indicates that there is obstruction in the wireless link between the network device and the terminal device.

[0110] In a possible implementation, the network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and the processing module is specifically configured to:

[0111] Determining, by the first network element, the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate;

[0112] or;

[0113] The second network element receives, through the second network element, indication information sent by the first network element, wherein the indication information includes the mapping relationship; and the second network element determines, through the second network element, the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

[0114] In a possible implementation, the indication information further includes an identifier of the terminal device, and the sending module is specifically configured to:

[0115] The target vocoding rate is sent to the terminal device according to the identifier of the terminal device.

[0116] In a possible implementation, the mapping relationship is determined based on statistical information of at least one reference voice call.

[0117] In one possible implementation, the statistical information includes at least one of the following:

[0118] Reference terminal device identification;

[0119] location information of the reference terminal device;

[0120] The vocoding rate of the reference voice call;

[0121] the bit error rate of the reference voice call;

[0122] Time information of the reference voice call; or

[0123] Satellite information.

[0124] In a possible implementation, the invention further includes a receiving module, wherein the receiving module is configured to:

[0125] Receive the first information sent by the terminal device.

[0126] In a possible implementation, the network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and further includes a receiving module, where the receiving module is configured to:

[0127] The first information sent by the second network element is received through the first network element.

[0128] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising:

[0129] a receiving module, configured to receive a target vocoding rate sent by a network device, wherein the target vocoding rate is determined based on a predicted channel quality of a wireless channel, wherein the predicted channel quality is determined based on the first information;

[0130] An updating module is used to update the current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device to the target vocoding rate.

[0131] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0132] attribute information of the terminal device;

[0133] Status information of the voice call; or

[0134] Satellite information.

[0135] In a possible implementation, the attribute information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0136] The identifier of the terminal device; or

[0137] The location information of the terminal device.

[0138] In a possible implementation, the voice call status information includes at least one of the following:

[0139] Time information of the voice call;

[0140] The current vocoding rate of the voice call;

[0141] The current bit error rate of the voice call; or

[0142] Channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

[0143] In a possible implementation, the satellite information includes at least one of the following:

[0144] ephemeris information;

[0145] Satellite type;

[0146] The satellite's speed; or

[0147] The satellite's operating altitude.

[0148] In a possible implementation, the invention further includes a sending module, wherein the sending module is configured to:

[0149] The first information is sent to the network device.

[0150] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a memory and a processor;

[0151] The memory stores computer-executable instructions;

[0152] The processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor performs the method as described in any one of the first aspects.

[0153] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising: a memory and a processor;

[0154] The memory stores computer-executable instructions;

[0155] The processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor performs the method as described in any one of the second aspects.

[0156] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which are used to implement the method described in any one of the first aspects when the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor.

[0157] In an eighth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which are used to implement the method described in any one of the second aspects when the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor.

[0158] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, comprising a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements any method of the first aspect, or any method of the second aspect.

[0159] In the tenth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by the chip, it implements any method of the first aspect, or any method of the second aspect.

[0160] In the eleventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a chip module, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by the chip module, it implements any method of the first aspect, or any method of the second aspect.

[0161] The communication method and apparatus provided herein first determine the predicted channel quality of a wireless channel based on first information, thereby determining a target vocoding rate for a voice call established between a network device and a terminal device based on the predicted channel quality. The target vocoding rate is then sent to the terminal device, enabling transmission and decoding of the voice call between the network device and the terminal device based on the target vocoding rate. Because the target vocoding rate is determined based on the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel, the vocoding rate of the voice call can adapt to and vary based on different channel conditions, thereby reducing the bit error rate when the channel quality of the wireless channel degrades, thereby improving the quality of the voice call. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0162] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an applicable application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0163] FIG2 is a signaling diagram 1 of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0164] FIG3 is a second signaling diagram of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0165] FIG4 is a signaling diagram 3 of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0166] FIG5 is a fourth signaling diagram of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0167] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0168] FIG7 is a second structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0169] FIG8 is a third structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0170] FIG9 is a fourth structural diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0171] Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, with examples illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when referring to the drawings, identical numerals in different figures represent identical or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments are not intended to represent all embodiments consistent with the present application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with certain aspects of the present application, as detailed in the appended claims.

[0172] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprises," "includes," or any other variations thereof are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus comprising a series of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. In the absence of further limitations, an element defined by the phrase "comprising a ..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus comprising the element.

[0173] In the embodiments of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used to distinguish between identical or similar items with substantially the same functions and effects. For example, the terms "first chip" and "second chip" are used solely to distinguish between different chips and do not define their order. Those skilled in the art will understand that terms such as "first" and "second" do not define the quantity or execution order, and do not necessarily define differences.

[0174] In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described in this application as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as being preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner.

[0175] In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more" refers to two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: the existence of A alone, the existence of A and B at the same time, and the existence of B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single items or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, a--c, bc, or abc, where a, b, c can be single or multiple.

[0176] First, an applicable application scenario of the embodiment of the present application is introduced with reference to FIG1 .

[0177] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an applicable application scenario provided by an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can be applied to a satellite communication system. The satellite communication system may include a satellite 101 and at least one terminal device 102, wherein the satellite 101 can assume all or part of the functions of the network device, and the satellite can communicate with the terminal device in the service cell through beamforming technology.

[0178] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: global system of mobile communication (GSM) system, code division multiple access (CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (GPRS), long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WIMAX) communication system, future fifth-generation 5G system or new radio (NR), and can also be extended to similar wireless communication systems, such as wireless fidelity (WIFI), and cellular systems related to the third generation partnership project (3GPP). The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as the sixth generation mobile communication system. This application is not limited to this.

[0179] In the embodiments of the present application, the network device generally has wireless transceiver functions and may have mobility characteristics, for example, the network device may be a mobile device. Optionally, the network device may be a satellite or a balloon station. For example, the satellite may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, etc. Of course, the network device may also be a base station located on land, water, etc. For example, the network device may be a next generation NodeB (gNB) or a next generation evolved NodeB (ng-eNB). The gNB provides the user plane and control plane functions of NR for the UE, and the ng-eNB provides the user plane and control plane functions of evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) for the UE. It should be noted that gNB and ng-eNB are merely names used to indicate base stations that support 5G network systems and are not restrictive.

[0180] The network device may also be a base transceiver station (BTS) in a GSM or CDMA system, a base station (nodeB, NB) in a WCDMA system, or an evolved base station (eNB or eNodeB) in an LTE system. Alternatively, the network device may also be a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a network-side device in a network after 5G, or a network device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN) network, a road site unit (RSU), etc.

[0181] Terminal devices typically have wireless transceiver capabilities and can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, as handheld, wearable, or in vehicles; on water (such as ships); or in the air (such as on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). Terminal devices can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, wireless terminals in industrial control, vehicle-mounted terminals, wireless terminals in self-driving cars, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, wearable terminals, and so on. The terminal devices involved in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as terminals, user equipment (UE), access terminal devices, vehicle-mounted terminals, industrial control terminals, UE units, UE stations, mobile stations, mobile stations, remote stations, remote terminal devices, mobile devices, UE terminal devices, wireless communication devices, UE agents, or UE devices, etc. The terminal devices may also be fixed or mobile.

[0182] As shown in Figure 1, a voice call can be established between terminal device 102 and a network device. In some embodiments, satellite 101 functions as a base station, meaning the base station is deployed on satellite 101 and connected to the data network via the core network. In this scenario, satellite 101 can be referred to as a network device. In some embodiments, satellite 101 also functions as a base station, meaning some base station functions are deployed on satellite 101 and others are deployed on the ground.

[0183] For voice calls established by terminal device 102, the communication between satellite 101 and terminal device 102 faces the challenge of periodic satellite overhead. Periodic satellite overhead refers to the periodic passage of the satellite overhead by the terminal device as it orbits the Earth, causing the terminal device's position and the satellite's beam coverage area to constantly change relative to each other. Channel conditions vary depending on the terminal device's location within the satellite's beam coverage area. As shown in Figure 1, at one moment, satellite 101's beam coverage area is coverage area A, and the terminal device is located at the center of the satellite's beam coverage area. Channel conditions are good, and the quality of the voice call between terminal device 102 and satellite 101 is also good. At a later moment, satellite 101's beam coverage area is coverage area B, and the terminal device is located at the edge of the satellite's beam coverage area. Channel conditions are poor, and the quality of the voice call between terminal device 102 and satellite 101 is also poor.

[0184] Vocoding rate is the rate at which audio data is transmitted per unit time and is a key factor affecting voice call quality. Currently, for voice calls established between network equipment and end devices, the vocoding rate is typically determined based on the channel conditions at the time the call is established. However, if the end device is in good channel coverage when the call is established, but then experiences poor channel coverage due to satellite movement, this vocoding rate determination method can result in an increased bit error rate and decreased call quality.

[0185] Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method that predicts the channel conditions that a terminal device will soon experience to make a vocoding rate decision, thereby resolving the issue of increased bit error rates in voice calls due to changes in the terminal device's channel conditions and improving the quality of voice calls. The following describes the solution of the embodiment of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0186] FIG2 is a signaling diagram 1 of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG2 , including:

[0187] S21: The network device determines the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel according to the first information.

[0188] The first information is information related to the channel quality of the wireless channel. In a satellite communication system, the channel quality of the wireless channel varies depending on the location of the terminal device within the satellite's beam coverage area. Therefore, any information that can determine the relative position between the terminal device and the satellite's beam coverage area can serve as the first information. For example, the first information can include the terminal device's location information, satellite ephemeris information, time information, and so on.

[0189] The first information may be information received by the network device from the terminal device, or may be information pre-stored on the network device side, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[0190] After obtaining the first information, the network device determines the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel based on the first information. The predicted channel quality represents the channel quality condition that the terminal device will soon experience. It can be the predicted channel quality at the next moment or the predicted channel quality at multiple moments in the future. The channel quality can be characterized by relevant parameters, such as the signal reception quality and signal-to-noise ratio between the network device and the terminal device.

[0191] S22: The network device determines a target vocoding rate for the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device based on the predicted channel quality.

[0192] After determining the predicted channel quality, the network device determines a target vocoding rate based on the predicted channel quality.

[0193] Optionally, the network device may predetermine a mapping relationship between different channel qualities and corresponding vocoding rates, where higher channel quality corresponds to a higher vocoding rate, and lower channel quality corresponds to a lower vocoding rate, with a positive correlation between channel quality and vocoding rate. Therefore, after determining the predicted signal quality, the corresponding target vocoding rate can be determined based on this mapping relationship.

[0194] Optionally, the network device may determine the bit error rate corresponding to a certain vocoding rate when using the predicted channel quality based on historical related data, and then determine the vocoding rate corresponding to the condition of a lower bit error rate as the target vocoding rate.

[0195] Optionally, the network device may determine, based on historical related data, a transmission rate corresponding to a certain vocoding rate under predicted channel quality, and then determine the vocoding rate corresponding to a higher transmission rate as the target vocoding rate.

[0196] S23, the network device sends the target audio bit rate to the terminal device.

[0197] After the network device determines the target vocoding rate, the network device may use the target vocoding rate as the vocoding rate for the voice call established with the terminal device, and perform transmission and decoding of the voice call with the terminal device based on the target vocoding rate.

[0198] Accordingly, the network device sends the target audio bit rate to the terminal device.

[0199] S24, the terminal device updates the current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device to the target vocoding rate.

[0200] After receiving the target vocoding rate, the terminal device updates the current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device to the target vocoding rate. Therefore, the network device and the terminal device perform transmission and decoding of the voice call with the terminal device based on the target vocoding rate.

[0201] The communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application first determines the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel based on first information, thereby determining a target vocoding rate for a voice call established between a network device and a terminal device based on the predicted channel quality, and sends the target vocoding rate to the terminal device, so that the network device and the terminal device transmit and decode the voice call with the terminal device based on the target vocoding rate. Because the target vocoding rate is determined based on the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel, the vocoding rate of the voice call can adapt to different channel conditions and change based on the different channel conditions, thereby reducing the bit error rate when the channel quality of the wireless channel degrades, thereby improving the quality of the voice call.

[0202] Based on any of the above embodiments, the solutions of the embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0203] In one possible implementation, the network device determines the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel based on the first information, wherein the first information can be sent by the terminal device to the network device, can be pre-configured and stored on the network device side, or can be provided by the second network element in the network device to the first network element. This embodiment of the present application is not limited to this.

[0204] The first information includes at least one of the following 1.1 to 1.3, which are introduced below respectively.

[0205] 1.1. Attribute information of terminal equipment.

[0206] The attribute information of the terminal device is used to represent the attributes of the terminal device. In the embodiment of the present application, the attribute information of the terminal device may include, for example, the identification of the terminal device and / or the location information of the terminal device.

[0207] The terminal device identifier may be, for example, an identity identifier of the terminal device, which is used to uniquely identify the terminal device. Based on the terminal device identifier, the terminal device establishing the voice call can be determined. After the network device determines the target vocoding rate, the target vocoding rate may also be sent to the terminal device based on the terminal device identifier.

[0208] The location information of the terminal device is used to indicate the current location of the terminal device. Based on the location information of the terminal device, it is possible to determine where the terminal device is located in the satellite beam coverage area, thereby assisting in determining the current channel quality of the terminal device, the channel quality that the terminal device will experience, and so on.

[0209] 1.2. Voice call status information.

[0210] The status information of the voice call is used to indicate the current status of the voice call. In an embodiment of the present application, the status information of the voice call may include at least one of the following: time information of the voice call, current voice bit rate of the voice call, current bit error rate of the voice call, and channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

[0211] The time information of a voice call may include the start time, duration, current time, and end time of the voice call. Based on the time information of the voice call, the periodic changes in the relative position between the satellite beam coverage area and the terminal device at different times can be determined. The relative positional relationship between the terminal device and the satellite beam coverage area at different times can also be determined. This can then assist in determining the current channel quality of the terminal device and the channel quality that the terminal device will experience in the future.

[0212] The current bit rate of a voice call indicates the bit rate currently used by the network device and the terminal device during the call, while the current bit error rate of a voice call indicates the bit error rate when using that bit rate. The current bit error rate can help determine whether the current bit rate meets the current channel conditions and, therefore, whether the bit rate needs to be adjusted.

[0213] Channel measurement information of wireless channels is used to report the current channel quality. Channel measurement information may include, for example, signal reception quality, signal-to-noise ratio, etc. Using this information, network devices can determine the current channel quality and thus assist in making vocoding decisions.

[0214] 1.3. Satellite information.

[0215] Satellite information is used to represent information related to the satellite communicating with the terminal device. Different satellite information has different beam coverage areas at different times, and therefore, the channel quality of the wireless channel is also different. In the embodiment of the present application, the satellite information includes at least one of ephemeris information, satellite type, satellite operating speed, and satellite operating altitude.

[0216] The ephemeris information may include, for example, the position vector and velocity vector of the satellite at the reference time of the ephemeris information, and may include, for example, orbital parameter information, etc. Based on the ephemeris information, the operating position of the satellite can be determined, thereby determining the beam coverage area of ​​the satellite. Combined with the position information of the terminal device, the current channel quality of the terminal device, the channel quality that the terminal device will experience, etc. can be determined.

[0217] Satellite types may include, for example, ascending satellites, descending satellites, synchronous satellites, etc. The satellite type can be used to determine the law of the satellite's rotation around the earth, the satellite's operating position, and thus the satellite's beam coverage area. Combined with the location information of the terminal device, the current channel quality of the terminal device and the channel quality that the terminal device will experience can be determined.

[0218] The satellite's operating speed and altitude are satellite operating parameters. Based on the satellite's operating speed and altitude, the satellite's operating position at different times can also be determined, thereby determining the satellite's beam coverage area. Combined with the location information of the terminal device, the current channel quality of the terminal device, the channel quality that the terminal device will experience, and so on can be determined.

[0219] In the above embodiment, the first information includes the content described. Based on the first information, the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel can be determined. The predicted channel quality may include the predicted channel quality at a future time or multiple future time points. For example, assuming the current time is t, the predicted channel quality may include the predicted channel quality at time t+1, or may include the predicted channel quality at 10 different time points, such as time t+1, time t+2, time t+3, ..., and time t+10.

[0220] In a possible implementation, the network device determines a target vocoding rate for the voice call based on the predicted channel quality and a mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate.

[0221] The mapping relationship between channel quality and speech bit rate may be determined based on statistical information of at least one reference voice call. Specifically, the network device may obtain statistical information of the reference voice call from at least one reference terminal device, where the reference voice call is a voice call established with the corresponding reference terminal device.

[0222] The statistical information of the reference voice call may include at least one of an identifier of the reference terminal device, location information of the reference terminal device, a voice bit rate of the reference voice call, a bit error rate of the reference voice call, time information of the reference voice call, and satellite information.

[0223] The reference terminal device identifier can be, for example, an identity identifier of the reference terminal device, which is used to uniquely identify the reference terminal device. Based on the reference terminal device identifier, the terminal device that established the reference voice call can be determined. In this embodiment of the present application, the at least one reference terminal device may include or exclude the terminal device.

[0224] The location information of the reference terminal device is used to indicate the current location of the reference terminal device. Based on the location information of the reference terminal device, it is possible to determine where the reference terminal device is located in the satellite beam coverage area, thereby assisting in determining the current channel quality of the reference terminal device, the channel quality that the reference terminal device will experience, and so on.

[0225] The bit rate of the reference voice call indicates the bit rate used when the reference voice call is conducted between the network device and the reference terminal device at different times, while the bit error rate of the reference voice call indicates the bit error rate under the condition that the bit rate is used when the reference voice call is conducted between the current network device and the reference terminal device. The bit error rate of the reference voice call can be used to assist in determining whether the bit rate of the reference voice call meets the current channel conditions.

[0226] The time information of the reference voice call may include the start time, duration, current time, and end time of the reference voice call. Based on the time information of the reference voice call, the periodic changes in the relative position between the satellite beam coverage area and the reference terminal device at different times can be determined, and the relative position relationship between the reference terminal device and the satellite beam coverage area at different times can be determined, thereby assisting in determining the current channel quality of the reference terminal device, the channel quality that the reference terminal device will experience, and so on.

[0227] Satellite information is used to represent information related to the satellite communicating with the reference terminal device. Different satellite information has different beam coverage areas at different times, and therefore, the channel quality of the wireless channel is also different. In the embodiment of the present application, the satellite information may include at least one of ephemeris information, satellite type, satellite operating speed, satellite operating altitude, and satellite signal coverage.

[0228] Based on satellite information, the operating position of the satellite at different times can be determined, and the satellite beam coverage area can be determined. Combined with the location information of the reference terminal device, the current channel quality of the reference terminal device and the channel quality that the reference terminal device will experience can be determined.

[0229] Based on statistical information of at least one reference voice call, the network device determines that, at a specific time, at a specific location, and using a specific satellite service, using a specific vocoding rate can achieve better service quality, such as a lower bit error rate and a higher transmission rate. Based on the above statistical information, as well as the predicted location information of the terminal device at a specific time in the future and the predicted satellite coverage information at a specific time in the future, the network device predicts that at a specific time, at a specific location, and using a specific satellite service in the future, if the terminal device and the network device use a specific vocoding rate, a better service quality or business experience, such as a lower bit error rate and a higher transmission rate, can be achieved. Based on this, the network device generates a mapping relationship between channel quality and vocoding rate.

[0230] It should be noted that the above-mentioned mapping relationship can be directly expressed as the correspondence between different channel qualities and different vocoding rates, and can express the correspondence between different times and different vocoding rates, and the correspondence between different location information and different vocoding rates. Since the relative position between the satellite's beam coverage area and the terminal device changes roughly periodically when the satellite information is determined, different times and different location information correspond to different channel qualities. Accordingly, the correspondence between different times and different vocoding rates, and the correspondence between different location information and different vocoding rates, are another form of expression of the correspondence between different channel qualities and different vocoding rates. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the form of expression of the mapping relationship.

[0231] After the mapping relationship is determined, the network device can determine the target vocoding rate for the voice call based on the predicted channel quality and the mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate.

[0232] In one possible implementation, the network device may determine a target channel quality based on the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality of the wireless channel, and determine the vocoding rate corresponding to the target channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate. The target channel quality is the poor channel conditions that the network device predicts the terminal device will experience. The target vocoding rate is determined based on these poor channel conditions to ensure good voice call quality and a low bit error rate even under these poor channel conditions. Thus, even under good channel conditions, voice call quality can still be maintained.

[0233] The implementation is described below with reference to FIG3 .

[0234] FIG3 is a second signaling diagram of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG3 , including:

[0235] S31: The network device obtains first information, where the first information includes satellite information.

[0236] In an embodiment of the present application, the network device may be a Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), a Radio Access Network (RAN), an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), an Interactive Multimedia Service (IMS), etc. The way in which the network device obtains the first information may be a pre-configured way, a way in which the terminal device sends the first information to the network device, or a way in which the second network element sends the first network element, wherein the second network element may be, for example, a RAN, an AMF, an IMS, etc., and the first network element may be, for example, an NWDAF, a PCF, etc.

[0237] S32: The terminal device sends first information to the network device, where the first information includes channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

[0238] The terminal device sends first information to the network device, where the first information includes channel measurement information of the wireless channel, which is used to indicate the current channel quality of the wireless channel.

[0239] In the embodiment of FIG3 , the first information acquired by the network device includes satellite information and channel measurement information of the wireless channel. It should be noted that the satellite information and the channel measurement information of the wireless channel can be preconfigured on the network device side, sent entirely by the terminal device to the network device, or partially sent by the terminal device to the network device while the remaining information is preconfigured for the network device. The embodiment of FIG3 is described using the example of satellite information being preconfigured for the network device and channel measurement information of the wireless channel being sent by the terminal device to the network device. This does not limit the manner in which the network device acquires the first information.

[0240] S33: The network device determines the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel according to the first information.

[0241] The implementation scheme of the network device determining the predicted channel quality according to the first information can be referred to the relevant introduction of the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0242] S34: The network device determines the target channel quality according to the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality of the wireless channel.

[0243] The target channel quality is the channel quality under relatively poor channel conditions. After determining the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel, the network device compares the predicted channel quality with the current channel quality to determine the target channel quality.

[0244] For example, if the predicted channel quality is better than the current channel quality, the current channel quality is determined as the target channel quality; if the predicted channel quality is not better than the current channel quality, the predicted channel quality is determined as the target channel quality.

[0245] If there are multiple predicted channel qualities, the predicted channel quality with the worst channel quality may be determined among the multiple predicted channel qualities, and then compared with the current channel quality to determine the target channel quality.

[0246] Channel quality can be characterized by relevant parameters, such as signal reception quality, signal-to-noise ratio, whether there is obstruction in the wireless link, etc.

[0247] In one possible implementation, the target channel quality satisfies at least one of the following 2.1 to 2.5:

[0248] 2.1. The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to the preset signal reception quality threshold.

[0249] The network device may determine, among the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality, the channel quality whose corresponding signal reception quality is less than or equal to a preset signal reception quality threshold as the target channel quality.

[0250] For example, the predicted channel quality includes the predicted channel quality at 10 different times, such as time t+1, time t+2, time t+3,..., time t+10, where the signal reception quality corresponding to the predicted channel quality at time t+1, time t+2, and time t+3 is less than or equal to the preset signal reception quality threshold, and the signal reception quality corresponding to the current channel quality is also less than or equal to the preset signal reception quality threshold. The network device can select one from the predicted channel quality at time t+1, time t+2, and time t+3 and the current channel quality as the target channel quality.

[0251] 2.2. The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal reception quality corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal reception quality corresponding to the predicted channel quality.

[0252] The network device may determine the channel quality corresponding to the minimum signal reception quality between the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality as the target channel quality.

[0253] For example, the predicted channel quality includes predicted channel qualities at 10 different time points, such as time t+1, time t+2, time t+3, ..., and time t+10. Among the predicted channel qualities at 10 different time points, such as time t+1, time t+2, time t+3, ..., and time t+10, the predicted channel quality at time t+1 has the lowest signal reception quality. The received signal quality corresponding to the predicted channel quality at time t+1 is compared with the received signal quality corresponding to the current channel quality. If the received signal quality corresponding to the predicted channel quality at time t+1 is greater than or equal to the received signal quality corresponding to the current channel quality, the current channel quality is determined as the target channel quality. If the received signal quality corresponding to the predicted channel quality at time t+1 is less than the received signal quality corresponding to the current channel quality, the predicted channel quality at time t+1 is determined as the target channel quality.

[0254] 2.3. The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to the preset signal-to-noise ratio threshold.

[0255] The network device may determine, among the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality, the channel quality whose corresponding signal-to-noise ratio is less than or equal to a preset signal-to-noise ratio threshold as the target channel quality.

[0256] For example, the predicted channel quality includes the predicted channel quality at 10 different time points, such as time t+1, time t+2, time t+3, ..., time t+10, where the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the predicted channel quality at time t+1, time t+2, and time t+3 is less than or equal to the preset signal-to-noise ratio threshold, and the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the current channel quality is also less than or equal to the preset signal-to-noise ratio threshold. The network device can select one from the predicted channel quality at time t+1, time t+2, and time t+3 and the current channel quality as the target channel quality.

[0257] 2.4. The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the predicted channel quality.

[0258] The network device may determine the channel quality with the smallest corresponding signal-to-noise ratio between the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality as the target channel quality.

[0259] For example, the predicted channel quality includes predicted channel qualities at 10 different time points, such as time t+1, time t+2, time t+3, ..., and time t+10. Among the predicted channel qualities at 10 different time points, such as time t+1, time t+2, time t+3, ..., and time t+10, the predicted channel quality at time t+3 has the smallest signal-to-noise ratio. The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the predicted channel quality at time t+3 is compared with the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the current channel quality. If the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the predicted channel quality at time t+3 is greater than or equal to the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the current channel quality, the current channel quality is determined as the target channel quality. If the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the predicted channel quality at time t+3 is less than the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the current channel quality, the predicted channel quality at time t+3 is determined as the target channel quality.

[0260] 2.5. Target channel quality indication: There is obstruction in the wireless link between the network device and the terminal device.

[0261] If the wireless link between the network device and the terminal device is obstructed, the channel quality of the wireless channel is also poor. If the predicted channel quality indicates that the wireless link between the network device and the terminal device is obstructed, the network device may determine the predicted channel quality as the target channel quality; if the current channel quality indicates that the wireless link between the network device and the terminal device is obstructed, the network device may determine the current channel quality as the target channel quality.

[0262] S35 , the network device determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the target channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

[0263] After determining the target channel quality, the network device determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the target channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

[0264] If the mapping relationship is expressed as a correspondence between different times and different vocoding rates, the network device can determine the time when the target channel quality occurs and determine the corresponding vocoding rate as the target vocoding rate. For example, if the target channel quality occurs at time t+3, the vocoding rate corresponding to time t+3 can be determined as the target vocoding rate. If the mapping relationship is expressed as a correspondence between different location information and different vocoding rates, the network device can determine the location of the terminal device when the target channel quality occurs and determine the vocoding rate corresponding to the location of the terminal device as the target vocoding rate, and so on.

[0265] S36, the network device sends the target audio bit rate to the terminal device.

[0266] After determining the target vocoding rate, the network device sends the target vocoding rate to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the target vocoding rate.

[0267] S37, the terminal device updates the current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device to the target vocoding rate.

[0268] After receiving the target vocoding rate, the terminal device updates the current vocoding rate of the voice call to the target vocoding rate.

[0269] S38, the terminal device and the network device conduct a voice call according to the target voice bit rate.

[0270] The terminal device and the network device conduct voice calls based on the target voice bit rate, and the encoding and decoding of the voice calls are achieved through the target voice bit rate.

[0271] Based on the embodiment of Figure 3, it can be seen that the solution of the embodiment of the present application determines the target channel quality based on the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality, and determines the target voice bit rate based on the target channel quality. Since the target channel quality represents the worse channel conditions that the terminal device will experience, the target voice bit rate can ensure the quality of voice calls under worse channel conditions, reduce the bit error rate of voice calls under worse channel conditions, and also ensure the quality of voice calls under special channel conditions.

[0272] In one possible implementation, the network device includes a first network element and a second network element, wherein the first network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate. This implementation is described below with reference to FIG4 .

[0273] FIG4 is a signaling diagram 3 of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG4 , including:

[0274] S41. The second network element sends first information to the first network element, where the first information includes satellite information.

[0275] In an embodiment of the present application, the way in which the first network element obtains the first information can be a pre-configured way, or a way in which the terminal device sends the first information to the first network element, or a way in which the second network element sends the first information to the first network element, wherein the second network element can be, for example, RAN, AMF, IMS, etc., and the first network element can be, for example, NWDAF, PCF, etc.

[0276] S42, the terminal device sends first information to the first network element, where the first information includes attribute information of the terminal device and status information of the voice call.

[0277] In the embodiment of FIG4 , the first information obtained by the first network element includes satellite information, terminal device attribute information, and voice call status information. It should be noted that the satellite information, terminal device attribute information, and voice call status information can all be pre-configured on the first network element side, or all can be sent by the terminal device to the first network element, or all can be sent by the second network element to the first network element, or the terminal device can send part of the information to the first network element and the other part can be sent by the second network element to the first network element. The embodiment of FIG4 is described using the example of satellite information being sent by the second network element to the first network element and terminal device attribute information and voice call status information being sent by the terminal device to the first network element. This does not limit the manner in which the first network element obtains the first information.

[0278] S43: The first network element determines the predicted channel quality of the wireless channel according to the first information.

[0279] For an implementation solution in which the first network element determines the predicted channel quality based on the first information, reference may be made to the relevant introduction of the above embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0280] S44: The first network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

[0281] After determining the target channel quality, the first network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

[0282] If the mapping relationship is expressed as a correspondence between different times and different vocoding rates, the first network element can determine the time when the predicted channel quality occurs and determine the corresponding vocoding rate as the target vocoding rate. For example, if the predicted channel quality occurs at time t+3, the vocoding rate corresponding to time t+3 can be determined as the target vocoding rate. If the mapping relationship is expressed as a correspondence between different position information and different vocoding rates, the first network element can determine the position of the terminal device when the predicted channel quality occurs, and determine the vocoding rate corresponding to the position of the terminal device as the target vocoding rate, and so on.

[0283] S45, the first network element sends the target voice bit rate and the identifier of the terminal device to the second network element.

[0284] After determining the target vocoding rate, the first network element sends the target vocoding rate to the second network element, and the second network element receives the target vocoding rate.

[0285] S46, the second network element sends the target audio bit rate to the terminal device according to the identifier of the terminal device.

[0286] After receiving the target voice bit rate, the second network element sends the target voice bit rate to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the target voice bit rate.

[0287] S47, the terminal device updates the current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device to the target vocoding rate.

[0288] After receiving the target vocoding rate, the terminal device updates the current vocoding rate of the voice call to the target vocoding rate.

[0289] S48, the terminal device and the network device conduct a voice call according to the target voice bit rate.

[0290] The terminal device and the network device conduct voice calls based on the target voice bit rate, and the encoding and decoding of the voice calls are achieved through the target voice bit rate.

[0291] Based on the embodiment of Figure 4, it can be seen that the solution of the embodiment of the present application determines the target bit rate based on the predicted channel quality, and can realize dynamic adjustment of the bit rate when the channel quality of the wireless channel changes, thereby ensuring the quality of voice calls under different channel conditions and reducing the bit error rate of voice calls.

[0292] In one possible implementation, a network device includes a first network element and a second network element. The second network element receives instruction information sent by the first network element, the instruction information including a mapping relationship. The second network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate. This implementation is described below with reference to Figure 5.

[0293] FIG5 is a signaling diagram 4 of the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG5 , including:

[0294] S51: The second network element sends first information to the first network element, where the first information includes satellite information.

[0295] S52, the terminal device sends first information to the first network element, where the first information includes attribute information of the terminal device and status information of the voice call.

[0296] In the embodiment of the present application, the implementation of S51 and S52 is similar to the implementation of S41 and S42 in the embodiment of Figure 4, and will not be repeated here.

[0297] S53, the first network element sends indication information to the second network element, where the indication information includes a mapping relationship and an identifier of the terminal device.

[0298] After determining the mapping relationship, the first network element sends the mapping relationship to the second network element through indication information. The mapping relationship is used to determine the target vocoding rate of the voice call.

[0299] S54: The second network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

[0300] After determining the target channel quality, the second network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

[0301] If the mapping relationship is expressed as a correspondence between different times and different vocoding rates, the second network element can determine the time when the predicted channel quality occurs and determine the corresponding vocoding rate as the target vocoding rate. For example, if the predicted channel quality occurs at time t+3, the vocoding rate corresponding to time t+3 can be determined as the target vocoding rate. If the mapping relationship is expressed as a correspondence between different position information and different vocoding rates, the second network element can determine the position of the terminal device when the predicted channel quality occurs, and determine the vocoding rate corresponding to the position of the terminal device as the target vocoding rate, and so on.

[0302] S55: The second network element sends the target audio bit rate to the terminal device according to the identifier of the terminal device.

[0303] After determining the target vocoding rate, the second network element sends the target vocoding rate to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the target vocoding rate.

[0304] S56: The terminal device updates the current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device to the target vocoding rate.

[0305] After receiving the target vocoding rate, the terminal device updates the current vocoding rate of the voice call to the target vocoding rate.

[0306] S57: The terminal device and the network device conduct a voice call according to the target voice bit rate.

[0307] The terminal device and the network device conduct voice calls based on the target voice bit rate, and the encoding and decoding of the voice calls are achieved through the target voice bit rate.

[0308] Based on the embodiment of Figure 5, it can be seen that the solution of the embodiment of the present application determines the target bit rate based on the predicted channel quality, and can realize dynamic adjustment of the bit rate when the channel quality of the wireless channel changes, thereby ensuring the quality of voice calls under different channel conditions and reducing the bit error rate of voice calls.

[0309] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 60 is applied to a network device. As shown in FIG6 , the communication device 60 includes:

[0310] a determination module 61, configured to determine a predicted channel quality of a wireless channel based on the first information;

[0311] a processing module 62 for determining a target vocoding rate for a voice call established between the network device and the terminal device based on the predicted channel quality;

[0312] The sending module 63 is configured to send the target vocoding rate to the terminal device.

[0313] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0314] attribute information of the terminal device;

[0315] Status information of the voice call; or

[0316] Satellite information.

[0317] In a possible implementation, the attribute information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0318] The identifier of the terminal device; or

[0319] The location information of the terminal device.

[0320] In a possible implementation, the voice call status information includes at least one of the following:

[0321] Time information of the voice call;

[0322] The current vocoding rate of the voice call;

[0323] The current bit error rate of the voice call; or

[0324] Channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

[0325] In a possible implementation, the satellite information includes at least one of the following:

[0326] ephemeris information;

[0327] Satellite type;

[0328] The satellite's speed; or

[0329] The satellite's operating altitude.

[0330] In a possible implementation, the processing module 62 is specifically configured to:

[0331] The target vocoding rate is determined according to the predicted channel quality and a mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate.

[0332] In a possible implementation, the processing module 62 is specifically configured to:

[0333] determining a target channel quality based on the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality of the wireless channel;

[0334] The vocoding rate corresponding to the target channel quality in the mapping relationship is determined as the target vocoding rate.

[0335] In one possible implementation, the target channel quality satisfies at least one of the following:

[0336] The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to a preset signal reception quality threshold;

[0337] The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal reception quality corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal reception quality corresponding to the predicted channel quality;

[0338] The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to a preset signal-to-noise ratio threshold;

[0339] The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the predicted channel quality; or

[0340] The target channel quality indicates that there is obstruction in the wireless link between the network device and the terminal device.

[0341] In a possible implementation, the network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and the processing module 62 is specifically configured to:

[0342] Determining, by the first network element, the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate;

[0343] or;

[0344] The second network element receives, through the second network element, indication information sent by the first network element, wherein the indication information includes the mapping relationship; and the second network element determines, through the second network element, the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

[0345] In a possible implementation, the indication information further includes an identifier of the terminal device, and the sending module 63 is specifically configured to:

[0346] The target vocoding rate is sent to the terminal device according to the identifier of the terminal device.

[0347] In a possible implementation, the mapping relationship is determined based on statistical information of at least one reference voice call.

[0348] In one possible implementation, the statistical information includes at least one of the following:

[0349] Reference terminal device identification;

[0350] location information of the reference terminal device;

[0351] The vocoding rate of the reference voice call;

[0352] the bit error rate of the reference voice call;

[0353] Time information of the reference voice call; or

[0354] Satellite information.

[0355] In a possible implementation, the invention further includes a receiving module, wherein the receiving module is configured to:

[0356] Receive the first information sent by the terminal device.

[0357] In a possible implementation, the network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and further includes a receiving module, where the receiving module is configured to:

[0358] The first information sent by the second network element is received through the first network element.

[0359] The communication device 60 provided in the embodiment of the present application is used to execute the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0360] The communication device 60 shown in the embodiment of the present application can be a chip, a chip module, a hardware module, a processor, etc. Of course, the communication device 60 can be in other forms, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0361] FIG7 is a second schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 70 is applied to a terminal device. As shown in FIG7 , the communication device 70 includes:

[0362] A receiving module 71 is configured to receive a target vocoding rate sent by a network device, wherein the target vocoding rate is determined based on a predicted channel quality of a wireless channel, and the predicted channel quality is determined based on the first information;

[0363] The updating module 72 is configured to update the current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device to the target vocoding rate.

[0364] In a possible implementation manner, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0365] attribute information of the terminal device;

[0366] Status information of the voice call; or

[0367] Satellite information.

[0368] In a possible implementation, the attribute information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following:

[0369] The identifier of the terminal device; or

[0370] The location information of the terminal device.

[0371] In a possible implementation, the voice call status information includes at least one of the following:

[0372] Time information of the voice call;

[0373] The current vocoding rate of the voice call;

[0374] The current bit error rate of the voice call; or

[0375] Channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

[0376] In a possible implementation, the satellite information includes at least one of the following:

[0377] ephemeris information;

[0378] Satellite type;

[0379] The satellite's speed; or

[0380] The satellite's operating altitude.

[0381] In a possible implementation, the invention further includes a sending module, wherein the sending module is configured to:

[0382] The first information is sent to the network device.

[0383] The communication device 70 provided in the embodiment of the present application is used to execute the above method embodiment. Its implementation principle and technical effects are similar and will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0384] The communication device 70 shown in the embodiment of the present application can be a chip, a chip module, a hardware module, a processor, etc. Of course, the communication device 70 can be in other forms, and the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit this.

[0385] FIG8 is a third structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8 , the communication device includes a memory 801 , a processor 802 , and a transceiver 803 .

[0386] The memory 801 is used to store program instructions.

[0387] The processor 802 is configured to execute the program instructions stored in the memory, so as to enable the communication device 80 to execute the method steps executed by the network device.

[0388] The transceiver 803 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transmitter may also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, a transmission port, a transmission interface, or similar descriptions, and the receiver may also be referred to as a receiver, a reception port, a reception interface, or similar descriptions. Exemplarily, the memory 801, the processor 802, and the transceiver 803 are interconnected via a bus 804.

[0389] FIG9 is a fourth structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG9 , the communication device includes a memory 901 , a processor 902 , and a transceiver 903 .

[0390] The memory 901 is used to store program instructions.

[0391] The processor 902 is configured to execute the program instructions stored in the memory, so as to enable the communication device 90 to execute the method steps executed by the terminal device.

[0392] The transceiver 903 may include a transmitter and / or a receiver. The transmitter may also be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, a transmission port, a transmission interface, or similar descriptions, and the receiver may also be referred to as a receiver, a reception port, a reception interface, or similar descriptions. For example, the memory 901, the processor 902, and the transceiver 903 are interconnected via a bus 904.

[0393] All or part of the steps of the above-mentioned method embodiments can be completed by hardware related to program instructions. The aforementioned program can be stored in a readable memory. When the program is executed, it performs the steps of the above-mentioned method embodiments; and the aforementioned memory (storage medium) includes: read-only memory (ROM), RAM, flash memory, hard disk, solid-state drive, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical disc, and any combination thereof.

[0394] An embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, they are used to implement the method steps executed by the terminal device and / or network device in the above method embodiment.

[0395] An embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product, including a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the computer program can implement the method steps performed by the terminal device and / or the network device in the above method embodiment.

[0396] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by the chip, the method steps executed by the terminal device and / or the network device in the above method embodiment are implemented.

[0397] An embodiment of the present application further provides a chip module having a computer program stored thereon. When the computer program is executed by the chip module, the method steps executed by the terminal device and / or the network device in the above method embodiment are implemented.

[0398] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product including an instruction device that implements the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0399] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, so that the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more boxes in the block diagram.

[0400] Regarding the various modules / units contained in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments, they can be software modules / units, hardware modules / units, or partly software modules / units and partly hardware modules / units. For example, for various devices and products applied to or integrated in a chip, the various modules / units contained therein can all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, or at least part of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of software programs, which run on the processor integrated inside the chip, and the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated in a chip module, the various modules / units contained therein can all be implemented in the form of hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component of the chip module (such as a chip, circuit module, etc.) or in different components, or at least part of the modules / units can be implemented in the form of software programs. The software program runs on the processor integrated in the chip module, and the remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented in hardware such as circuits; for various devices and products applied to or integrated in the terminal equipment / network equipment, the various modules / units contained therein can be implemented in hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (such as chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components in the terminal equipment / network equipment, or at least some modules / units can be implemented in software program, which runs on the processor integrated in the terminal equipment / network equipment, and the remaining modules / units (if any) can be implemented in hardware such as circuits.

[0401] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0402] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0403] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application may be integrated into a single processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into a single unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in the form of hardware or software functional units.

[0404] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the steps in the above-described method embodiments can be implemented by hardware associated with program instructions. The aforementioned computer program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. When executed by a processor, the computer program implements the steps in the above-described method embodiments. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0405] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: determining a predicted channel quality of the wireless channel based on the first information; determining a target vocoding rate for a voice call established between the network device and the terminal device based on the predicted channel quality; The target vocoding rate is sent to the terminal device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following: attribute information of the terminal device; Status information of the voice call; or Satellite information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The attribute information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: The identifier of the terminal device; or The location information of the terminal device.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The voice call status information includes at least one of the following: Time information of the voice call; The current vocoding rate of the voice call; The current bit error rate of the voice call; or Channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

5. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The satellite information includes at least one of the following: ephemeris information; Satellite type; The satellite's speed; or The satellite's operating altitude.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The determining, based on the predicted channel quality, a target vocoding rate for a voice call established between the network device and the terminal device includes: The target vocoding rate is determined according to the predicted channel quality and a mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The determining the target vocoding rate according to the predicted channel quality and the mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate includes: determining a target channel quality based on the predicted channel quality and the current channel quality of the wireless channel; The vocoding rate corresponding to the target channel quality in the mapping relationship is determined as the target vocoding rate.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that The target channel quality satisfies at least one of the following: The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to a preset signal reception quality threshold; The signal reception quality corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal reception quality corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal reception quality corresponding to the predicted channel quality; The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is less than or equal to a preset signal-to-noise ratio threshold; The signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the target channel quality is the minimum value of the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the current channel quality and the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the predicted channel quality; or The target channel quality indicates that there is obstruction in the wireless link between the network device and the terminal device.

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and determining the target vocoding rate according to the predicted channel quality and a mapping relationship between the channel quality and the vocoding rate includes: The first network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate; or; The second network element receives the indication information sent by the first network element, where the indication information includes the mapping relationship; and the second network element determines the vocoding rate corresponding to the predicted channel quality in the mapping relationship as the target vocoding rate.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The indication information further includes an identifier of the terminal device, and the sending the target vocoding rate to the terminal device includes: The target vocoding rate is sent to the terminal device according to the identifier of the terminal device.

11. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The mapping relationship is determined based on statistical information of at least one reference voice call.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The statistical information includes at least one of the following: Reference terminal device identification; location information of the reference terminal device; The vocoding rate of the reference voice call; the bit error rate of the reference voice call; Time information of the reference voice call; or, Satellite information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive the first information sent by the terminal device.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The network device includes a first network element and a second network element, and the method further includes: The first network element receives the first information sent by the second network element.

15. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving a target vocoding rate sent by a network device, where the target vocoding rate is determined based on a predicted channel quality of a wireless channel, where the predicted channel quality is determined based on the first information; The current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device is updated to the target vocoding rate.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The first information includes at least one of the following: attribute information of the terminal device; Status information of the voice call; or Satellite information.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The attribute information of the terminal device includes at least one of the following: The identifier of the terminal device; or The location information of the terminal device.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The voice call status information includes at least one of the following: Time information of the voice call; The current vocoding rate of the voice call; The current bit error rate of the voice call; or Channel measurement information of the wireless channel.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein The satellite information includes at least one of the following: ephemeris information; Satellite type; The satellite's speed; or The satellite's operating altitude.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The first information is sent to the network device.

21. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a determination module, configured to determine a predicted channel quality of the wireless channel based on the first information; a processing module, configured to determine a target vocoding rate for a voice call established between the network device and the terminal device based on the predicted channel quality; A sending module is used to send the target voice bit rate to the terminal device.

22. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises: a receiving module, configured to receive a target vocoding rate sent by a network device, wherein the target vocoding rate is determined based on a predicted channel quality of a wireless channel, wherein the predicted channel quality is determined based on the first information; An updating module is used to update the current vocoding rate of the voice call established between the network device and the terminal device to the target vocoding rate.

23. A communication device, characterized in that: include: memory and processor; The memory stores computer-executable instructions; The processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor performs the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

24. A communication device, characterized in that: include: memory and processor; The memory stores computer-executable instructions; The processor executes the computer-executable instructions stored in the memory, so that the processor performs the method according to any one of claims 15 to 20.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which are used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 when executed by a processor.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The computer-readable storage medium stores computer-executable instructions, which are used to implement the method according to any one of claims 15 to 20 when executed by a processor.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that The invention comprises a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, or the communication method according to any one of claims 15 to 20.

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